Kent R. Hopkins serves as the vice president for Academic Enterprise Enrollment at Arizona State University. In this role, he is responsible for architecting the enrollment strategy for students enrolling in campus-based degree programs in alignment with the goals and mission of ASU as the New American University - through the leadership of President Michael Crow.
During his fifteen year tenure at ASU, his leadership has contributed to historic enrollment increases. Campus-based enrollment has reached 87,000 enrolled students per year, with new campus-based, first-year student enrollment grew by over 58% over the course of his tenure to roughly 15,000 new first-year students joining each fall.
Hopkins is steadfast in his advocacy for the ASU Charter principles of being a top research university that measures itself on who it includes and how they succeed. This philosophy has guided enrollment strategies that have resulted in broad access to the university during his ASU career resulting in dramatic increases in enrollment of Pell eligible students and first generation college students.
Hopkins has also led enrollment strategies that have resulted in ASU becoming one of the most sought after universities in the nation for international students. In fall 2009, approximately 3,900 international students enrolled in campus immersion degree programs; now, as of fall 2023, there are 15,000 international students from 157 countries enrolled in campus immersion degree programs. For six of the past eight years, ASU has been recognized the #1 public university for hosting international students, according to the Institute for International Education’s (IIE) Open Door Report.
As the vice president for Academic Enterprise Enrollment, Hopkins has organizational oversight for Admission Services, Financial Aid and Scholarship Services, University Registrar Services, International Students and Scholars Center, and the Pat Tillman Veteran Center - in addition to strong linkages with Academic Enterprise Communication. As well, these teams work closely with ASU EdPlus leadership, by serving as the enrollment operations arm for applicant services, financial aid and university registrar services for all degree-seeking students.
Hopkins was instrumental in the formation of the Pat Tillman Veteran Center, which was founded in 2011 under his leadership. At the time of its founding, fewer than 2,000 Veterans were enrolled at ASU. Now, as of spring 2024, the number of military-connected learners exceeded 20,000 enrolled students.
Since 2017, Hopkins has served on the Cambridge International Examinations Higher Education Advisory Council. Additionally, has been actively involved with College Board through the Enrollment Leadership Group and the SAT Suite Committee. He currently serves on the U.S. News and World Report Deans Advisory Group.
Prior to his career at ASU, Hopkins provided enrollment management consulting to more than 100 two- and four-year institutions, both public and private, as vice president for consulting services for (now Ruffalo) Noel-Levitz. Additionally, he has served in campus positions at University of Toledo as dean of enrollment management and at St. Louis University as director of undergraduate admissions.
Hopkins is a sought after presenter and panelist at international, national and regional higher education conferences. He has devoted his career to college students and their academic goals, a passion which began at his alma mater, Iowa State University, where he was awarded the Division of Student Affairs Human Relations Award at the start of his career in 1987.